Portland School Board renews charter of Opal School at Portland Children's Museum

The Opal School, a small charter school operated by the Portland Children’s Museum, had its charter renewed this week by the Portland School Board.

“The school has a different approach that helps foster the whole child,” said writer Jessica Davis, who has a kindergartner and a first-grader attending the school.

“The school helps develop an active appreciation of nature, a connection with other people, and it develops empathy.”

Founded in 2001, the school has 80 students in grades K through 5 in three classrooms at the museum in Washington Park. Influenced by the early childhood centers in Reggio Emilia, Italy, the approach is based on listening rather than speaking and thinking that children have the ability to build their own learning.

In addition to the charter school, the museum is also home to the Museum School, a for-fee preschool and early kindergarten program, and the Center for Children’s Learning, a research institution that studies education strategies and brain development in children.

The center’s research informs everything at the museum, from the exhibits to the school curriculum.

“When parents visit, they’re not always aware of how much intention goes into those exhibits,” Davis said.

She said the school takes advantage of the school’s setting in Washington Park. “They go outside to explore, and develop a sense of wonder.”

As a fundraiser for the museum and the school, the museum is offering a “Be a Kid Again” event from 6 to 9 p.m. next Saturday, April 9.

The idea is for adults to enjoy the museum without kids – dig in the dig pit, build in the clay studio, pretend to cook in the restaurant. There will be food and drink and entertainment. Cost is $75.